OHASA was registered with the South African Medical and Dental Council in April 1979. It was subsequently recognised by the International Liaison Committee on Dental Hygiene as a duly Constituted Group representing the interests of Oral Hygienists in South Africa in 1983.

With the assistance and support from OHASA a Professional Board for Oral Hygiene was established in October 1980 under the powers vested in the Minister of Health, Welfare and Pensions, Dr L A P A Munnik, by section 15(4) of the Medical, Dental and Supplementary Health Service Professions Act, 1974 (Act 56 of 1974).